Angus joined the ASU in 2010 as an organiser working on the Equal Pay campaign for community and disability workers. He became Assistant Secretary in 2015 and then Branch Secretary in 2022. The child of two teacher unionists, Angus attended his first union strike in a pram in the late 1980s. He went on to study law at Sydney University, where he got involved in campaigns to save student unions after John Howard tried to shut them down and end student protests. Angus is proud to work every day for justice and fairness at work and in society.
What motivates you to be a part of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA?
As a unionist, I believe workers being exploited anywhere, should never be accepted. None of us are free until all of us are free.
As the union for workers at international NGOs (including APHEDA!), I know how important the work this sector does is. I am proud to be a member of APHEDA and will always be a member.
What part of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA’s work are you most connected to/proud of?
Peace is union business, and we must all do all we can to promote peace around the world. Right now, we are watching a genocide in Palestine. We have seen tens of thousands of people killed and the largest number ever of aid workers killed in conflict. While our nightly news and social media become unbearable to watch, we must be moved to action.
The ASU is proud to have been a founding partner of the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network. As always, APHEDA was on the ground, working with the MA’AN Development Center and local secular groups to ensure that aid could get to where it was needed.
How does your union develop international solidarity?
The ASU is proudly progressive, and we are always excited to host APHEDA at our delegate training and member conferences. We are an active part of the global trade union movement. We are members of the International Transport Federation and Public Service International.
Just this month, I have met with unionists from Gaza and from East Timor and have been moved by their struggles. And recently, I met with water worker from Bangladesh at a Global Union conference. As the union for water workers, I was moved by the shocking experiences of Bangladeshi water workers. Workers everywhere deserve fair pay, safe working conditions and respect.
Why is building internationalism amongst unionists in Australia so important?
The workers united will never be defeated.
Global capital and bosses work across borders, and we must build worker power across borders too. As unionists, we know that coming together makes work and our communities better. Internationalism is the next step.
What would you say to encourage others to join Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA as members?
Our solidarity can’t end at work and shouldn’t end in Australia. I encourage all union members to join APHEDA. We have a world to win.